Gimme fives! Star & Garter shock Admiral Drake to take title

Star & Garter defied the odds to beat top-flight leaders Admiral Drake B 3-2 and win the Portsmouth Men's League fives crown.
Mark Donnelly. Picture: Mick Young (13453-18)Mark Donnelly. Picture: Mick Young (13453-18)
Mark Donnelly. Picture: Mick Young (13453-18)

Dave King gave the division B outfit the initial advantage before Charlie Jackson and Barry Stevens put Drake 2-1 up.

However, that was all Drake could muster as Paul Miller and Gary Hayward won the remaining ties to propel Star to victory.

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Old House at Home A moved two points clear of the bottom of division B as they triumphed 5-4 over Raven.

Adrian Jones, Dale Adams and Jim Dean put Old House 3-0 up but parity was restored by Allen Gaymer, Jerry Goddard and Bob Steel.

Old House wasted no further time securing the match with Gary Bartlett and Peter Neale on the mark. Glynn Bremner took a late consolation.

Graham Arms secured valuable points in division C’s promotion race as the third-placed side beat second-placed Froddington Arms 6-3.

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Froddington took the lead through Nathan Elverson but they were soon behind with Robert Jamieson, Mark Mihell, Rob Knowles and Billy Thompson notching wins for Graham.

Mark Donnelly’s 18-darter and 120 game-shot doubled Froddington’s tally but Martin Simmons won the next clash to put the game beyond doubt.

Dave Barker added Graham’s sixth before Mick Pearce won a consolation leg for Froddington.

Clarence Gardens are fourth in division D after a 5-4 triumph over second-placed Red, White & Blue.

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Clarence led 2-0 courtesy of Dan Shambrook and Michael Bowbrick but then fell behind with Ray Casson, Steve Fell and James Scammell winning for Red, White & Blue.

Lee Robertson pulled Clarence level before Kieron Dunstan put their rivals within a leg of victory.

However, Clarence took the remaining games as Ken Brown and Glen Booth helped them fight back to win.

Admiral Drake B continued their dominance in division A with a 6-3 triumph over Phoenix North End B.

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Charlie Jackson – 17-dart leg – and Shaun Brooker moved them 2-0 up before Vince Aston, who also recorded a 17-darter, got Phoenix off the mark.

Phoenix’s Les Rance scored 180 in the next set but it did not stop Admiral Drake going 3-1 up as James Brooker had a 16-dart effort and 116 check-out.

Sam Head (16 and 17-dart legs) Danny Smith (17-darter) and Bill Sturgess bagged the points for Drake before Phoenix restored pride with Lee Smith and Craig McEwan wins.

McEwan threw a 16-dart leg while his opponent, Ricky Williams, had a 17-darter and 180.

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Brett Smith (Druids Arms A) threw a 17-darter, while Jon Bramble (Shearer Arms) hit a pair of 18-darters.

Connor Hurry (Mr Pickwick) and Dave Robinson (Newcome Arms A) also finished games in 18 darts, with Hurry enjoying a 120 finish.

Ted Andrews and Mark Ford (both Jolly Taxpayer B) checked out on 120 and 106 respectively.

Steve Bern, Dave Gisby (both Star & Garter) and Charlie Linkhorn (Mr Pickwick) all fired in maximums.